ESFPs are extroverted and observant, making them great entertainers who eagerly charm and engage with others. They tend to be responsive to the world around them, readily participating in activities, spontaneous, enjoyable to be around, and they appreciate their surrounding pleasures such as people, food and gifts. ESFPs tend to be highly talkative and engaging in conversation with the zest they show in their lives. ESFPs live in the moment and make sure they are often the centre of attention by being open to different people, employing humour and a playful attitude to help get on with most other personality types and ensure they have a good time with them.
principles
People with ESFP personalities are known for their generosity, lively spirit, and strong intersubjective skills (also known as emotional intelligence). They enjoy life without reservation and are committed optimists - sometimes overly so. Rather than calculating their actions, they value spontaneity, oftentimes at the expense of structure. ESFPs are abundant, and so is the joy and warmth they bring into the world.
• They enjoy being the centre of attention
• They make judgements based on their value system
• They are observant and receptive to other people's feelings
• They are always looking for new ways to have fun
strengths
caring and tolerant
ESFPs are easy-going and non-judgmental. They are at ease with who they are and this translates into tolerance of other people. They are the last people you would see projecting their insecurities onto others. An ESFP's first instinct is to understand a person's behaviour rather than impose a value judgement. This also allows them to genuinely care for the well-being of others.
adaptable and flexible
ESFPs will not hesitate to abandon a plan that no longer has any utility. Even when they do follow a plan, they will be happy to deviate from it if they think they have a better solution. This flexibility also extends to their interpersonal relationships. They are rarely intimidated or frustrated by people and are capable of adjusting their behaviour so as to ensure everyone's maximum comfort.
perceptive
ESFPs are inclined to think mechanistically. They perceive the physical world in ways in which others don't. They can deconstruct any object or situation into its building blocks and understand how the whole relates to its parts. This gives ESFPs some very useful and potentially profitable skills.
neophile
ESFPs truly embody the Cartesian principle of “I think therefore I am”. The only thing they know for sure is that they have been endowed with the capacity to experience. The external world is merely a means to an end. This makes them extremely fun to be around. The time one has spent with an ESFP will often be the source of the most endearing memories in their life.
weaknesses
chaotic
An ESFPs flexibility is a two-edged sword. While it allows them to easily adapt to circumstances, it also makes them less dependable. At best, they will outsource a large portion of their duties to their loved-ones. At worst, they will completely overlook tedious but important every-day tasks, especially those relating to servicing and maintenance.
frivolous
The part of an ESFP's personality that makes them fun to be around is also the part that will make them come across as lacking any ambition or goal-oriented behaviour. They might struggle with aspects of life which are not immediately gratifying, such as financial planning, work, and school.
over-indulgent
An ESFP's thirst for new experiences isn't easily quenched. Once they exhaust the more socially-acceptable sources of fun they might look into alternative ones - sometimes damaging for both themselves and others. Alcohol and substance use are not uncommon among ESFPs, and neither are risky sexual behaviours and impulsive spending sprees.
conflict averse
The reward-oriented behaviour of ESFPs also makes them likely to go above and beyond in order to avoid pain - even necessary temporary pain. The implications of this are numerous. For example, ESFPs will avoid confronting people about behaviours they find off-putting, but they will also vehemently reject criticism of their own destructive behaviour.
friendships
ESFPs love people, and people love them. They have no problem adhering to the social code of niceties when meeting new people. They will talk about anything with unfeigned passion. ESFPs are social chameleons; they will have a remarkable ability to ‘read the room’ and adjust their behaviour accordingly. The last thing they want is to make someone feel uncomfortable.
ESFPs will often sacrifice their own convenience in the name of ‘continuing the flow’. They will have little regard for their finances and will buy everyone drinks if that's what it takes to keep the party afloat. However, they will expect the same flavour of collectivism from other people, especially in their times of need. This might be frustrating for some, as no one really consents or can object to an ESFPs generosity.